Return Policy

Not too long ago, I was in Macy’s considering splurging on Butter’s Nail Foundation. I had read that it gives the look of buffed nails without the damage buffing does to one’s nails, and I was curious. As I questioned the saleswoman about her experience with it, she told me I could try it out and bring it back if I hated it. I told her that I don’t usually make returns like that, to which she responded “You should! I’ve had women return jars which were clearly a few years old, and had barely a drop left in them.”

While the women she was referring to may have been abusing the return policy, the saleswoman was right that I should consider using it. I ended up keeping the Butter nail polish, but since then, I have been much more liberal with my returns.

When it comes to clothing, I don’t return many items that I buy. Unless I found it online and it was not what I expected, I’m usually tough enough in the dressing room to end up with items I love.

What I have started to return is everything that does not live up to the standards I expect the price point to reflect. Whether it’s an $80 bathing suit with a weak seam or $40 eye cream that does not work for my skin tone, I know my return options and I take advantage of them. If a store like Sephora offers a great return policy (they do), I am willing to take a risk on a pricier product. Often, I am happy I made the purchase. But when I am not happy with the product, I am pleased to have purchased it from a store with a great return policy. Instead of tossing it in the garbage and wasting the money, or suffering through an entire bottle that wasn’t a good fit for me, I was able to exchange it for a different brand that I did like, even without my receipt.

Now I look for solid return policies. A few are Title Nine, Kiehl's, L.L. Bean, and Sephora, who all allow returns on unsatisfying purchases, and exchanges even without a receipt. I find this last part to be important as it speaks to just how much that company backs up its products.

If I am not satisfied with a product, I can return it and I end up as a satisfied customer. In exchange, I am loyal to the store because I know they stand behind the products they sell. A great return policy is a great policy for both me and the company.